Jordanian national soccer team ace Moussa Altamari, who suffered a shock defeat to Korea, will not be able to play next month due to an ankle injury. Analysts say that this is good news for Team Hong Myung-bo, who suffered a setback due to the defeat in the match against Palestine.
On the 8th, Altamari recently injured his ankle and is expected to miss the third Asian qualifying match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North Korea and China next month.
Middle East media ‘Al-Araviya’ reported on the 6th (local time) that “Jordan striker Altamari cannot play for four to six weeks due to a torn ligament in his left ankle.”
Altamari scored the first goal with a strong mid-range shot in the 14th minute of the first half in the first Group B match of the third qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup against Kuwait in Amman, Jordan, on the 5th, but was replaced by an ankle injury in the 18th minute of the second half.
In the 14th minute of the second half, he kicked to save the ball that was trying to get off the line to avoid the goalkeeper, but his stepping left foot slipped. Feeling pain, Altamari lay on the ground and was eventually carried off on a stretcher.
Jordan, who lost its flagship striker, was less destructive in the attack and allowed a penalty equalizer just before the end to draw 1-1.
Jordan coach Jamal Salami said, “It was a very favorable situation for us, but we lost two points (missing the victory),” adding, “We were hit hard by Altamari’s injury.”
Altamari’s injury has been confirmed to be more serious than expected, which is fortunate for South Korea, which has to play the third Group B match against Jordan in the third round of the World Cup qualifying round on October 10. Altamari has to work on rehabilitation for the time being, which is why it is difficult to play in the A match in October.
Altamari was Jordan’s No. 1 player on alert. He is the only player in European leagues for the Jordanian national team and has been playing in French Ligue 1 club Montpelli since last year. He also stood out on the international stage and scored 22 goals in total in A matches.
In Korean soccer, Altamari also had a hard time. At the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, Korea met with Jordan in the group league and semifinals, respectively, and failed to block Altamari, who made reckless movements. 먹튀검증
In particular, Altamari scored his team’s second goal in the 21st minute of the second half in the semifinals, depriving South Korea of its dream of winning the Asian Cup for the first time in 64 years.
South Korea, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, is expected to make the away road to Jordan lighter in October due to the departure of the most wary goaltender.